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Derek Beard
Head Coach
Through years of developing athletes and building championship-level programs, Derek has led teams to 5 Southern Illinois River-To-River Conference Team Championships, 5 Sectional Championships, and a State Runner-Up finish in 2019. Derek has coached 42 All-State athletes while helping his programs break seven school records. Derek was the Southern Illinois Coaches Association Coach of the Year 6 times. At Altitude 618, Derek works with athletes to improve speed, explosiveness, technique, and event-specific performance through high-level instruction and individualized coaching.
02
Chad Harris
Coach
Chad Harris is a highly respected pole vault coach and former collegiate athlete with over 15 years of coaching experience. A standout vaulter at Du Quoin High School, Chad earned IHSA All-State honors twice, placing 5th as a junior before finishing as the IHSA State Runner-Up as a senior with a vault of 15’0”. Following high school, he continued his athletic career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he competed for the Salukis pole vault program. Since then, Chad has dedicated his career to developing athletes in Southern Illinois, coaching at Murphysboro High School, Du Quoin High School, and Altitude 618 Track Club. Chad has helped numerous vaulters improve their confidence, technique, and competitive success.
